Do Babies Go to Heaven When They Die?

It’s a question asked in many religious debates: what happens to babies who die? Do they go to Heaven? Are they judged on how they lived by God? Would it be fair for The Lord to judge the sins of a baby who cannot even walk or speak yet? These are all valid questions to ask. The important thing to remember is to seek the answer in the Bible if you want God’s thoughts on a matter. And the answer to the question is clear from Scripture: Yes, babies who die do go to Heaven. All of them.

1. All of us – even babies, are sinful in nature: King David writing in Psalm 51, a Psalm of strong repentance for sin, acknowledged that: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. While children do not inherit the sins of their parents, we do all inherit a sin nature, which is an inclination to sin, in our earthly flesh. So much so that David recognized that even when he was being “shapen” in the womb he was in sin.

2. Babies and small children do not know the difference between good and evil: The Bible states that while children may have a sin nature, at the youngest of years, they do not have the knowledge to understand morality, righteousness and thus God’s laws:

Deuteronomy 1:39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.

In this passage, God was punishing the ancient Israelites for their disobedience in the wilderness but He specifically exempts the children and allows them to enter the Promised Land because at the time of the sinning they “had no knowledge between good and evil.” Thus children who are too young to understand morality receive God’s Grace and pardon.

Isaiah 7:16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

This prophecy given to the prophet Isaiah centered on the birth of a child. Again God makes the distinction of a child who has not yet reached the age where she or her would “know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” This age is often referred to as the “age of accountability” in Jewish and Christian theology. Once a child reaches that age, she is then a moral agent and responsible for the choices she makes.

This age is not specified in the Bible and nor should it be. Why? Because children mature and learn at varying rates. So as God does with adults, all children are judged individually. But prior to reaching that age, they will receive grace.

3. Jesus praises children as being closest to Heavenly beings: Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus saw the humility of children as a great virtue. Small children have no agendas, do not look for positions of authority, do judge outward appearance and are not prideful. It’s the attributes of children that Jesus was stating that the rest of us must take on in order to be a part of God’s Kingdom. Jesus came to Earth to serve others and ultimately give Himself for others. We are to do the same. And that requires child-like humility.

Matthew 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Small children and babies naturally have the attitude and disposition that born again believers should have. It is only from spending more time around other, older more experienced sinners, that children soon grow out of it.

4. The Bible Confirms It – babies go to Heaven: As is the case with most difficult spiritual questions, the Bible not only answers it, but provides an example. And the clearest demonstration on the fate of babies who die is found in 2 Samuel in the life of King David.King David was called by God a “man after my own heart.” David loved The Lord, never worshiped false gods and constantly sought God in prayer and praise. But David was human and thus made sinful choices on occasion. After committing sexual sins of adultery, fornication, murder and a subsequent cover-up, David was punished by losing the baby which was conceived out of his adulterous union. The baby became seriously ill and David responded by praying to God, fasting and laying face down on the floor for the baby for seven days. His faith in God was not shaken by the child’s illness and it was in fact what he relied on through the hard week. However, once the baby had passed, his behavior changed:

2 Samuel 12:19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 12:20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 12:21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.12:22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?12:23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

David had prayed in hopes that God in His grace, would allow the baby to live. Once the child died, David knew that there was nothing that could be done. The child was not coming back. However David was not completely despondent. He knew that one day he would “go to him” and that he would see his baby in Heaven. David who knew God so well, spoke with Him directly and received divine inspiration on many occasions, knew his small baby would go to Heaven.

And the same applies for all babies. There is nothing more tragic and devastating that the passing of a small baby. But at least parents can take hope and joy in the fact that God has brought them to Heaven and if they are believers in Jesus Christ, they will be reunited with that child one fine day.

1 John 3:4 …sin >isWhere there is no law there may be sin but it is not imputed

Romans 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

>We are alive spiritually before we die spiritually (Paul says he was spiritually alive once)

Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

>The Law and sin work together to deliver Spiritual death to a person WHEN they first sin with the law, if they would not sin, then death would not pass (ie they were alive spiritually until their first sin with the law)

Romans 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. Romans 7:11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Romans 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. Romans 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

> Sin is powerless without the law

Romans 7:8 … for without the law sin was dead. 1 Corinthians 15:56 … and the strength of sin is the law.

>Conscience serves as the least law that is present when all other forms of law are not present or missing

Romans 7:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Romans 7:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

>The knowledge of right and wrong comes from: Conscience Law or Spoken Law – both tell right from wrong.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Romans 7:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Romans 3:20 … for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

>Adam and eve

Genesis 3:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil…

>Children do not know right from wrong

Deuteronomy 1:39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. Isaiah 7:16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

>Young children’s sin are not imputed and are powerless to pass death since their sins are WITHOUT the law

See previous verses.

>Paul says HE WAS spiritually alive once, BEFORE he died spiritually, before finding new life in Jesus

2 Samuel 12:18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? 19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

>David spoke that, one day in the future, he would go to meet his baby that had died.

23 But now he is dead…. I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

>Jesus points out something special about “little children” and “heaven.”

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

———————————————————- Against ————————————————————————-

Evidence Against:

>All (all) have sinned fall short of glory of God. Rebuttal 1 .May have sinned, but not imputed Rebuttal rebuttal: many more verses say no on saved without Jesus Rebuttal rebuttal rebuttal : may not need salvation as such, since has no imputed sins Rebuttal 2. All doesn’t mean all… many places in scripture means All in a subset (eg, all Israel, all present, all under discussion, all known, all commonly regarded) Rebuttal rebuttal: but there are so many verses saying everyone in an EVEVERYONE WAY.. there really are.

>Born in sin Rebuttal 1. Yes, but sin is powerless without law Rebuttal rebuttal: still not perfect Rebuttal rebuttal rebuttal: neither is a born-again Christian perfect in themselves without Christ. Rebuttal 2. Doesn’t say born spiritually dead Rebuttal rebuttal: romans 5:12 … so death passed upon ALL men. Rebuttal rebuttal rebuttal: it qualifies it because all sinned.. suggests sin under law, limits group Rebuttal rebuttal rebuttal rebuttal: not necessarily R,r,r,r,r: Romans 7:9 For I WAS alive without the law once…

>”Death passed upon ALL men, for that all have sinned” romans 5:12 >”…that if one died for all, then were ALL dead” Rebuttal1. All doesn’t mean all… many places in scripture means All in a subset Rebuttal rebuttal: but there are so many verses saying everyone in an EVEVERYONE WAY.. don’t weaken bible Rebuttal rebuttal rebuttal: don’t exaggerate bible past what it mean Rebuttal2.romans 5:12 qualifies it because all sinned.. suggests sin under law, limits group rebuttal rebuttal: not necessarily Rebuttal3. It suggests death passes upon.. THEREFORE death WASN’T there from the start Rebuttal4. It is referring to the fact that all are dead of the group for whom death has finally passed. Rebuttal rebuttal: but it could more simply mean it just passed unto all.. it is complete R,r,r: maybe not R,r,r,r: maybe Rebuttal 5: Romans 7:9 For I WAS alive without the law once…

>Jesus is the only way Rebuttal 1. Children would still go through Jesus

>must be saved Rebuttal 1. Children might not need “salvation” as such

>must believe to be saved Rebuttal 1. Children might not need “salvation” as such Rebuttal 2. Jesus said to have faith as a little child to enter kingdom of heaven Rebuttal rebuttal: need more verses to witness more clearly to this if true

>Jesus points out something special about “little children” and “heaven.”

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

>Young children is one group Jesus never seemed to warn or rebuke, He always had positive things to say about them

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

>To be lost or to go astray, sort of implies you didn’t start out lost, it implies you started out found first

Matthew 18: 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Wait a minute so what you are saying is children are born with sin??? Well thats not a good thing & second so once one has knowledge of good and evil they are no longer innocent??? Like really though if you dont have knowledge of good and evil basic morality then how do you know if something is wrong or not? You can just follow a person blindly if you do it called a cult

“Wait a minute so what you are saying is children are born with sin??? Well thats not a good thing..”

Precisely. Which is why it is called a sin nature. Which we inherited from our common human father Adam. But at a certain age, everyone has morality and a conscience, which is given by God. In no court of law has someone come to a judge charged with murder and said “I didn’t know killing was wrong. No one gave me the proper moral training..” We intuitively know right from wrong at a certain age. Babies do not have this ability and thus are judged differently.

Thank you for this article and for the Biblical statements of “the truth” that is not subject to ‘interpretation’.

Another thought that goes ‘hind-in-hand’ with all babies that die go to Heaven – and that includes every one of the TENS of MILLIONS that have been LEGALLY MURDERED here in ‘Amerika’!!! How seriously do most people take “the truth” that is written “the word of the LORD”? NOT VERY – FOR “the Lord Jesus Christ” personally spoke that which is recorded in Luke 17 [KJB] 1) Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2) It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

A very important moral issue is that – from a CHRISTian point of view – ‘we the people’ of ‘Amerika’ have chosen to continually do evil in the sight of “the LORD JEHOVAH” – having willfully decided to disobey Him!!! Think about the sheer evil of mass legalized national infanticide – and the common acceptance of the murder of unborn babies – The CURRENT NUMBER of murdered Unborn AND Partial Birth babies – (PC terms = ‘abortion’, ‘pro-choice’, ‘reproductive rights’, …) Number of Abortions – Abortion Counters @ http://www.numberofabortions.com/

Billy Graham stated on Oct 16, 2014 that ‘Amerika’ is just as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah –

* NOTE – “A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic” These words of monster Joseph Stalin show his clear understanding of the monstrosity that is statistics. He knew that statistics deliver the clear conscience of a numerical justification that avoids responsibility for “man’s inhumanity to man” @ http://www.ianangell.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/single-death.pdf .

My baby passed today and this gives me an ounce of comfort. I hope one day I can be with him in heaven. I’m suffering tremendously I just want my sweet little angel back. His face keeps flashing in my mind I just want him to be safe I hope he is happy in baby heaven